I am looking for a way of improving my websites search queries. Currently I use LIKE '%string%' type statements. Is there any other methods?

Somebody mentioned to me a function called soundex() that returns a code representing how a string sounds. Ive looked this up in the MySQL manual and im a little unsure if its of any use to me or how I would use it?

Any help appreciated.

Many application program languages have this functionality. Soundex attempts to do matches based on how something sounds. For example a soundex may get a match on something below where a like would not:

Fido (say it out lout)
Phydioux (say it out loud)

Smyth
Smith

Greek spelling, english spelling, but sound the same but spelled totally different.

This is an extreme example and frankly I don't expect a soundex to get this right but it gives you the idea.

Thank You.